Credit: Ivan Radic, CC BY 2.0

The Department of Justice said the International Protection Office (IPO) would “temporarily pause the issuing of final determinations while the situation in Syria is kept under review”.

However, the Irish Refugee Council — which says it has received urgent queries from more than 140 Syrians — has questioned the legal basis for the pause, which mirrors decisions taken by the UK and other European governments.

Nick Henderson, CEO of the Irish Refugee Council, said: “We do not know what legal device the IPO are using to pause applications.

“We have previously requested to the IPO that people who are street homeless be given the opportunity to pause their protection while homeless, but we were told by the IPO that the International Protection Act 2015 does not allow for this.

“If such a device does exist, and applications are being paused, we recommend the IPO communicate with the approximately 450 Syrian people in our protection process and give a timeframe and a process. A pause should not affect people’s permission to work applications.”

He added: “It is also worth noting that, up until now, Syria is one of the seven countries which is prioritised by the IPO on the grounds that an application is likely to be well founded.

“If and when decision making resumes, the IPO and IPAT should not automatically consider Syria a safe place, just because of the downfall of the Assad regime, given the extremely fluid security situation.

“Subsidiary protection can be used in addition to refugee status as it allows for a situation of internal armed conflict.

“EU and international law also must have strict rules on cessation of international protection status which must be respected. For example, the changes in the country of origin must be significant and non-temporary.”

A meeting of EU justice ministers, including Irish justice minister Helen McEntee, is set to take place on Thursday and will discuss matters relating to Syria.

Mr Henderson said the Irish Refugee Council would “encourage Ireland to contribute positively and progressively to the EU policy debate on this issue, including reconstruction in Syria”.

“Less than two days after Assad’s downfall, several EU member states are rushing to deport and return Syrian people and are using disturbing rhetoric, which is completely inappropriate,” he said.

The UN high commissioner for refugees, Filippo Grandi, has echoed that the situation in Syria is “still uncertain” and many will be “hesitant” about returning.

In a statement yesterday, Mr Grandi said: “Patience and vigilance will be necessary, hoping that developments on the ground will evolve in a positive manner, allowing voluntary, safe and sustainable returns to finally occur — with refugees able to make informed decisions.

“Whether the parties in Syria prioritise law and order will play a major factor in those decisions. A transition that respects the rights, lives, and aspirations of all Syrians — regardless of ethnicity, religion, or political beliefs — is crucial for people to feel safe.

“As the situation evolves, we will monitor developments, engage with refugee communities, and support states in any organised voluntary returns.”